NTSB investigations
507 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.
Cases, newest first
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
current_codes AS (
SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e.\"tier1Number\" AS INTEGER) AS code,
row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e.\"isDefiningEvent\", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e.\"tier1Number\" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
AND (e.\"isDefiningEvent\" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT \"mKey\" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE \"isPre1982\"))
),
phases AS (
SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
UNION ALL
SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o.\"phaseOfFlightCode\", w.main
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o.\"phaseOfFlightCode\"
WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
),
case_phases AS (
SELECT p.*, c.\"eventDate\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = p.case_mkey
LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
WHERE c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
)
SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 600)
ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
current_codes AS (
SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e."tier1Number" AS INTEGER) AS code,
row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e."isDefiningEvent", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e."tier1Number" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
AND (e."isDefiningEvent" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT "mKey" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE "isPre1982"))
),
phases AS (
SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
UNION ALL
SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o."phaseOfFlightCode", w.main
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o."phaseOfFlightCode"
WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
),
case_phases AS (
SELECT p.*, c."eventDate", c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c."mKey" = p.case_mkey
LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."eventDate" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
)
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 600)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR17IA198Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportEnstrom F 28F · Glendale, AZAn internal failure of the turbo-compressor, which resulted in oil leaking into the turbo-compressor’s exhaust.NTSB WPR17FA166Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Ogden, UTA loss of control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB GAA17CA434Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Bozeman, MTThe flight instructor’s unstabilized autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR17LA156Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSimmons Gary F Stol CH 701 · Kenwood, CAFailure of the flywheel drive assembly, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing to uneven terrain.NTSB CEN17WA245Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBell 204 · Alpbach, AustriaNTSB WPR17LA099Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG · Goodyear, AZLoss of engine power due to the installation of an improper air induction hose, which failed and prevented sufficient air intake to the turbocharger.NTSB GAA17CA218Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · La Verne, CAThe pilot’s early increased application of the collective during a simulated hovering autorotation, which resulted in a loss of rotor rpm and subsequent main rotor blade strike of the tailboom.NTSB ERA17LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 · San Juan, PRThe flight instructor's incorrect manipulations of the twist grip throttle control during a practice autorotation, which resulted in an engine overspeed and subsequent fire.NTSB CEN17WA056Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Cannes, FranceOn December 12, 2016, at 1300 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Robinson R-22 helicopter, French registration F-HALD, was destroyed following impact with terrain during a practice autorotation near Cannes-Mandelieu Airport (LFMD), France. The two occupants…NTSB ERA17CA056Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH 58A · Ponce, PRThe helicopter flight instructor's inadequate demonstration of a simulated engine failure, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA16FA329Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Laytonsville, MDThe pilot/mechanic's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot/mechanic's failure to service the engine…NTSB ERA16LA326Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Ozark, ALA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined following a successful postaccident engine run on the accident helicopter.NTSB CEN16WA345Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Plasy, CzechiaNTSB CEN16FA315Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Howe, TXThe improper execution of an autorotation following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of remedial action during the autorotation.NTSB WPR16LA156Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Prescott, AZThe flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to address a low rotor rpm condition, which resulted in an excessive descent rate and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB GAA16CA408Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206 · Modesto, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during an autorotation, which resulted in abnormal ground contact and main rotor contact with the tail boom. Contributing to the accident was the low fuel level which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of…NTSB GAA16CA377Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 44 · Keene, NHThe flight instructor’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach while operating in atmospheric conditions that were conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.NTSB CEN16FA214Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Marion, ILThe pilots' failure to maintain adequate airspeed while executing a simulated engine failure and landing maneuver, which resulted in the wing's critical angle of attack being exceeded and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB GAA16CA258Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH 58 · Waitsburg, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line during low reconnaissance flight, which resulted in a power line strike, loss of control, and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB ERA16LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Myerstown, PAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA16FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Ocala, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent placement of the…NTSB ERA16LA151Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGranger Michael D Sonex · Jesup, GAThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.NTSB GAA16CA168Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369 · Jamestown, NDThe pilot's excessive descent rate while flaring during a practice autorotation with a power recovery, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB ERA16LA059Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPacific Aerospace 750XL · Raeford, NCThe pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and speed during a precautionary landing with the engine shut down. Contributing to the accident was an erroneous engine torque indication, which led the pilot to shut the engine down, for reasons that…NTSB ERA16LA055Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Venice, FLThe flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB GAA16CA055Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G · Searchlight, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during hover flight.NTSB CEN15WA447Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBell 407 · San Agustine Guatemala, GuatemalaThe Direccion General de Aeronutica Civil (DGAC) of Guatemala has notified the NTSB of a non-fatal accident involving a Bell 407GX Helicopter, registration TG-PDF, that occurred on September 24, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to…NTSB WPR15LA245Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Las Vegas, NVA total loss of engine power during a practice autorotation for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN15LA322Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 4A · Gilbert, IAThe total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because the available fuel shifted within the tanks due to an abrupt nose-low maneuver to avoid an obstacle, which resulted in a hard forced landing.NTSB GAA15CA181Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Caldwell, IDAbnormal ground contact during a 180 degree autorotation, resulting in a severed tail rotor driveshaft by a main rotor blade. A factor contributing to the accident was the rotor blowback condition due to the aft tilting of the main rotor disk.NTSB GAA15CA097Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G 3B 1 · Fort Pierre, SDThe pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the subsequent autorotation landing.NTSB ANC15LA076Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus AS-350 · Hamilton, MTThe pilot's excessive collective application during an autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the training flight.NTSB ERA15WA211Accident · Minor injuriesForeign investigationBell 430 · Aydin, TürkiyeOn April 26, 2015, at 1322 coordinated universal time, a Bell 430, Turkish-registered TC-HSZ, was substantially damaged following a hard landing near Aydin, Turkey. The pilot and co-pilot were not injured. Two passengers sustained minor injuries, and three…NTSB CEN15LA215Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 - H · Circleville, TXThe failure of the engine to regain normal power after a simulated engine failure due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing on muddy terrain and a subsequent nose-over.NTSB GAA15CA002Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 407 · Justin, TXAbnormal ground contact during an autorotation demonstration, resulting in a severed tailrotor driveshaft.NTSB WPR15LA106Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A · Alfalfa, ORA total loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined, because examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN15WA142Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationRobinson R66 · Bern, SwitzerlandThis is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. On February 7, 2015, between 1300-1400 UTC, a Robinson R66 helicopter, HB-ZOK, (s/n 0553) experienced a loss of engine power during recovery from an autorotation on a training flight.…NTSB CEN15LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell-Watson 47 G · North Little Rock, ARThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during the practice touchdown autorotation, which resulted in a subsequent loss of helicopter control and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN15FA126Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Erie, COAn in-flight failure of the helicopter's #2 main rotor spindle due to undetected fatigue cracking, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to failure were the nonconforming thread root radius of the spindle and the manufacturer's failure to…NTSB WPR15CA043Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Prescott, AZThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during the autorotation which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.NTSB CEN15LA042Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMosier Robert S Mosquito XET · Angleton, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to detect a loose drive belt, which resulted in an in-flight…NTSB CEN14CA513Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Grand Forks, NDThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.NTSB CEN14LA517Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Cahokia, ILThe pilot’s poor decision to take off with the clutch warning light illuminated, which resulted in the total failure of the fan assembly due to a lack of lubrication. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s failure to lubricate the lower actuator…NTSB ERA14LA433Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C 65 · Carrol County, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during an emergency landing after encountering deteriorating weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor preflight weather planning, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with…NTSB WPR14LA353Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pahrump, NVA total loss of engine power during a practice autorotation for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN14CA409Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportGlasflugel H 301 B Libelle · Brenham, TXThe pilot's attempt to maneuver away from power lines during a forced landing, which resulted in a collision with a tree and a fence.NTSB WPR14LA300Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Rancho Cucamonga, CAThe loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN14CA367Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B3 · Grand Praire, TXThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's hard landing during a practice autorotation.NTSB ERA14FA313Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Littleton, NCMaintenance personnel's application of sealant to the engine case halves during engine overhaul, contrary to manufacturer's instructions, which resulted in internal failure of the engine due to the loss of case bolt torque.NTSB ERA14LA311Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Nashville, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during an autorotation after a perceived partial loss of power, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was radio frequency interference with the governor controller, which resulted in an…